Supporting grassroots organizations in Hamilton County committed to racial equity

Racial Equity Grassroots Grant Application Now CLOSED

Hamilton County Community Foundation is excited to announce a one-time grantmaking round exclusively for grassroots organizations promoting and leading diversity and racial equity work in Hamilton County. Funding is provided by the Community Leadership Innovation Fund, a fund of CICF, and administered in partnership with Hamilton County Community Foundation. We anticipate grants will fund projects such as trainings, educational sessions, community outreach, and more.

Hamilton County Community Foundation exists to improve and enhance life for those that call our county home. And we believe that we must build a community where opportunity meets growth for everyone, and philanthropic efforts support not-for-profit organizations doing vital work.

In 2019, Hamilton County Community Foundation joined CICF and The Indianapolis Foundation in a shared mission to mobilize people, ideas and investments to make this a community where all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter place, race or identity. In fulfilling that mission, we have engaged and partnered with local municipalities and grassroots organizations to support their work to advance racial equity to ultimately make Hamilton County a more welcoming community for all.

The demographics of Hamilton County are rapidly changing as the county consists of over 330,000 residents and is still growing. In 2000, only 6% of Hamilton County residents identified as people of color, according to census data. It is estimated that by 2030, that number will increase to 19%.

In Hamilton County, many residents want to grow local diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Residents have formed grassroots organizations to create more welcoming and inclusive communities while challenging systems to address racism. These are small organizations pushing for big change in their communities. We anticipate financial support will assist in amplifying their voice and affecting meaningful change in our communities.

“We want someone, regardless of their race, to be able to access the services they need to be able to be their true selves and just be able to live out their full potential within our county and not to be brought down by systemic barriers…”

Brittany Rayburn, Director of Development | Quoted from our WRTV Interview

This need has allowed us to reward community grassroots organizations such as these through the Racial Equity in Hamilton County grant application. To apply, fill out the application below. We anticipate funding decisions by May 2021. We are excited to support and join the collective, resident-driven actions towards equity throughout our Hamilton County communities.

This grant opportunity is possible through support from the Community Leadership Innovation Fund, a CICF fund comprised of five philanthropic leaders—Lori Efroymson-Aguilera, Marianne Glick, Myrta Pulliam, Cindy Simon Skjodt, Charlie Sutphin— and three foundations—CICF, The Indianapolis Foundation, and Hamilton County Community Foundation, represented by each boards’ leadership.

Awarded organizations and projects can be found here.

Deadline to request support closed on April 07, 2021.